COMM 3650 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Black Level, Laugh Track, Shader
9 May 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
Cast and Crew
Union facilities most likely have more people than nonunionized shops, where people often
undertake several functions. Other factors that affect crew positions are the degree of the
facility’s automation and the health of the economy (hiring vs lay-off).
You and all the others involved in a production must undertake certain techniques to accomplish
the tasks at hand. A technical director must know which buttons and levers to push to dissolve
from camera 1 to camera 2; an audio operator must know how to check meters to make sure
sound is being recorded; an actor must memorize lines. But you also need the disciplines that
ensure a smooth production. TV production involves a great deal of “hurry up and wait,” and
cast/crew members need to be at the ready to undertake their duties when the need arises.
Producers
● In charge of overall organization of a production.
● Often initiate a project and see that it’s finished on time and on budget.
● Pre-production is crucial for producers, as they come up with the idea and obtains
funding.
● Plans everything so that production and postproduction progress smoothly.
● Oversee the script and budget, make sure all necessary personnel are hired, attend to
legal matters, and see that all facilities and equipment are available.
● Handles the logistics of a production, while director makes the creative and aesthetic
decisions.
● Handles social and legal aftermath of the production, overseeing the distribution and
promotions of the program and evaluates it, along with the process, so that things can
operate more smoothly next time.
Directors
● Director is basically an orchestral conductor, while the crew members play their
instruments.
● Sometimes helps creating the script, and interprets the production from there.
○ Together with the producer, figure out the purpose of the script - What is the
objective of the show?
○ Secondly, check the script for rough timing. Proper length or does it need to be
cut/lengthened?
○ Then it should be put in its final television production format (e.g. two-column,
sitcom, etc.) and duplicated for all who need it.
● Sometimes you’re recruited to help scout locations with other crew members. You may
have to rent studio facilities.
● Directors have little say about crew in newscasts, public affairs shows, and remote
productions. But for sitcoms, reality shows, movies, and other forms, director selects
crew during prepro.
● Casting for actors and other performers includes the director’s opinion.
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
● The director holds one or more conferences or meetings involving the chief production
personnel, making sure all prepro elements are requested and constructed. Lighting
and staging plans are developed in prepro, as well as ordering costumes or props if
needed.
● The entire prepro process takes place within a tight interlocking schedule of checkpoints
and deadlines.
● Creates the shooting script for the day of production. Mark which cameras you’re
going to use for which shots and instructions you’re going to give cast and crew.
● The director is in charge during rehearsal and recording, making sure everyone behind
and in front of the camera knows what to do.
● After rehearsal, you are ready to start calling shots (i.e. deciding what each camera
should show and then making sure the appropriate shots get recorded).
● Your commands consist of:
○ Calling up the music and graphics for opening credits
○ Making sure cameras are on the shots you need as program progresses
○ Calling the proper camera to be on at the proper time
○ Bringing in prerecorded video or audio material as it is needed
○ Executing the closing credits
○ Always look ahead by 2-3 minutes.
● Imagine what could go wrong in the next few minutes always!!
Associate/Assistant Directors (AD)
● Depending on director, one may want you to set up all camera shots so he can
concentrate on other matters, others might want you to sit nearby and remind them of
what is coming up next.
● Essential duty is timing the production. Time individual segments during rehearsals,
get an overall timing of the program, and then take charge of pacing the program -
speeding up or stretching as required - during actual recording. You give timing cues
during production so director, crew, and talent know how much time remains.
● Sometimes in charge of crew to make sure everyone is there, working with talent,
assembling props, etc. In nonunion productions, you might even substitute for some
crew members or talent if needed.
● You jot down critique notes as the director spots problems. Also make notes of items
that might escape director’s attention, like minor props missing or weird lighting or
shadows. Especially concerned with script changes.
● If any segments are recorded out of order, you should note any continuity problems that
might arise. Ex: if a vase of flowers is needed for the 1st segment and removed during
the 2nd but then needed again for 3rd, make note to double check that it’s there.
● Backtime - count backward from the end of the program
● Make sure the director follows through on all production notes that were jotted down.
● “Read down” the clock - letting the director know how many minutes or seconds until
air or until recording is to begin. You count down the “ten, nine, eight,...” before going
live.
● The AD is the standby director if the director is unable to complete the program.
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Union facilities most likely have more people than nonunionized shops, where people often undertake several functions. Other factors that affect crew positions are the degree of the facility"s automation and the health of the economy (hiring vs lay-off). You and all the others involved in a production must undertake certain techniques to accomplish the tasks at hand. But you also need the disciplines that ensure a smooth production. Tv production involves a great deal of hurry up and wait, and cast/crew members need to be at the ready to undertake their duties when the need arises. In charge of overall organization of a production. Often initiate a project and see that it"s finished on time and on budget. Pre-production is crucial for producers, as they come up with the idea and obtains funding. Plans everything so that production and postproduction progress smoothly.
